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Glorious Revelations

Donald Macleod and musicologist Samantha Ege follow Margaret Bonds to university where she makes a life-changing discovery, and to the stage for her first performing successes.

Donald Macleod and musicologist and pianist Dr Samantha Ege follow Margaret Bonds to university where she makes a life-changing discovery, and to the stage for her first performing successes.

Margaret Bonds (1913-1972) was one of the most important composers and pianists of her time. She wrote several dozens of art songs, arranged many traditional spirituals, and composed large-scale cantatas. From her native Chicago where she was the first black performer to play with the Symphony Orchestra to the buzzing stages of New York where she set poetic gems to music, and at a time of racial discrimination and fight for civil rights, her story is one of determination, friendship, and absolute dedication to music-making. As such, the programme does include some language of the period.

In this second programme, Margaret Bonds goes to university where she is directly confronted to racism and segregation, away from the protected circle of her childhood home. There, she discovers a text that will save her, as she told years later. With her teacher and good friend Florence Price, she also takes centre stage in a landmark concert in which the talented young pianist shines.

Trad, arr Bonds: Didn’t It Rain
Stephen Salters, baritone
Shiela Kibbe, piano

The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Darryl Taylor, tenor
Maria Corley, piano

John Alden Carpenter: Concertino for Piano and Orchestra
Michael Chertock, piano
91Èȱ¬ Concert Orchestra
Keith Lockhart, conductor

Three Dream Portraits
Malcolm J. Merriweather, baritone
Ashley Jackson, harp

Simon Bore the Cross (mvts I to V)
Janinah Burnett, soprano
Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
The Dessoff Choirs
Malcolm J. Merriweather, conductor

Produced by Julien Rosa
A 91Èȱ¬ Audio Wales & West production for 91Èȱ¬ Radio 3

13 days left to listen

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Traditional Spiritual

    Didn't It Rain

    Performer: Shiela Kibbe. Music Arranger: Margaret Bonds. Singer: Stephen Salters.
  • Margaret Bonds

    The Negro Speaks of Rivers

    Performer: Maria Corley. Singer: Darryl Taylor.
    • NAXOS : 8.-559136.
    • NAXOS.
    • 9.
  • John Alden Carpenter

    Concertino for piano and orchestra (1st mvt)

    Performer: Michael Chertock. Orchestra: 91Èȱ¬ Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Keith Lockhart.
    • DUTTON : CDLX 7321.
    • Dutton.
    • 11.
  • Margaret Bonds

    Three Dream Portraits

    Performer: Ashley Jackson. Singer: Malcolm Merriweather.
    • AVIE : AV 2413.
    • AVIE.
    • 12.
  • Margaret Bonds

    Simon Bore the Cross (excerpts)

    Singer: Janinah Burnett. Singer: Dashon Burton. Ensemble: The Dessoff Choirs. Orchestra: The Dessoff Orchestra. Orchestra: The Dessoff Orchestra. Director: Malcolm Merriweather. Director: Malcolm Merriweather.
    • Avie AV2589.
    • Avie.
    • 8.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 2 in D major, Op 36 (3rd mvt)

    Conductor: Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Orchestra: Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Singer: Charlotte Margiono. Singer: Rudolf Schasching. Singer: Birgit Remmert. Singer: Robert Holl. Choir: Arnold Schoenberg Chor. Conductor: Erwin Ortner.
    • Beethoven: Symphonies 1-9: Harnoncourt, Chamber Orchestra of Europe.
    • Teldec.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Tue 22 Oct 2024 16:00

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